Adiposity, Hyperglycemia Tied to Cognitive Performance

Researchers examined the correlation between markers of insulin resistance, markers of adiposity, HbA1c, and cognitive performance in a sample of 1,172 adults aged 35 to 64 years without diabetes. In tests evaluating processing speed, elevated markers of adiposity correlated with poor cognitive performance. In each test, the probability of being in the lowest quartile was significantly increased for participants in the upper versus the lowest quartile of body mass index (adjusted odds ratio [OR], 2.18 for digit symbol substitution test [DSST]; OR, 2.09 for Stroop test). Poor cognitive performance in the DSST was also significantly more likely for those with high HbA1c (adjusted OR, 1.75). In men, but not women, waist circumference was linked to poor cognitive performance. Published online Dec. 28 in Diabetes Care